4 The Record: Behind The Scenes

In this episode, Colin chats with Lizzie Smith, ALL4’s Water Tech Team Leader, to explore the latest developments in federal water regulations. They cover hot topics like the anticipated Facility Response Plan (FRP) rulemaking, updates on lead and copper rule revisions, and the growing focus on PFAS in drinking water. From regulatory changes to industry impacts, this discussion is essential for anyone keeping up with the evol...

In this podcast, I am joined by Amy Marshall, ALL4's Air Practice Director. We discuss updates on air regulations and policies, focusing on how the 2024 election might influence these regulatory areas. Key topics include environmental justice, Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR), Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM2.5...

In this episode I am joined by Nick Evans of Precision Partners. Nick and I discuss how Precision Partners is offering environmental compliance as a service (ECAAS). We discuss broadly the concept of ECAAS and how it can be applied as a tool in the management of environmental programs and risk, specifically to air pollution control systems and outlet emissions rates. We also discuss the "as a service" model and where it has...

If you are involved in permitting associated with particulate matter to any extent, you won't want to miss this conversation. In this episode we discuss U.S. EPA's proposed tightened PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard. We discuss the standard, timing, monitoring data availability, upcoming state agency actions, the difference between the low and high end of the proposed range, and permitting implications and proact...

In this episode we provide an update on all things Environmental Justice regulatory and policy. We discuss U.S. EPA's anticipated cumulative risk rulemaking and its potential implications on permitting and capital projects. We then move to a discussion about EJ screening tools that have been released including EJScreen 2.1 and items therein to be aware of. We discuss the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council recomm...

In this episode we explore a variety of regulatory and policy activities that could impact your EHS budgets above and beyond the routine in 2023. We explore air topics such as the fine particulate ambient standard tightening, ozone redesignations and the proposed Good Neighbor Rule, and MACT activity. We also review the broad topic of Federal and State Environmental Justice policy and things to plan for in your EHS program. We c...

In this episode, Paul Hagerty joins us to discuss the issue of vapor intrusion. We start with what vapor intrusion is, when it occurs, and how common it has become. We discuss different vapor intrusion mitigation strategies including one of the most common approaches: vapor barriers. The criteria used to select vapor barrier designs are rooted in engineering and information from vapor barrier vendors. We discuss work that Paul...

In this episode, we first visit the broad concept of data accuracy and propagation of error in a conversation that will be helpful for anybody working with data and presenting it to another stakeholder. We then talk about tools for measuring data, limitations of data, and data sensitivity in a given situation. We close the conversation out by going back to stack testing and providing practical advice for EHS managers that are prepa...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Gene Youngerman about stack testing and data. We start with the basics of stack testing and what makes it complicated, then review the different reasons why a stack test is conducted and what types of data match up with those different stack testing drivers. This includes a conversation about operating scenarios and how they should be considered for different types of testing (compliance...

In this episode, we are joined once again by Amy Marshall to discuss current regulatory and policy events at U.S. EPA. We cover National Ambient Air Quality Standards (fine particulate, ozone, and lead) activity and implications. We also review air toxics activity with a focus on Boiler MACT and the National Air Toxics Assessment Database. We close with a discussion about New Source Review permitting and some practical advice ab...

In this episode, we provide an update on Environmental Justice (EJ) regulatory and policy activity. We explore some of the recent tools that have been updated and released such as the new version of EJScreen and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. We discuss possible next steps for Federal regulatory activity and the wide variety of activity occurring within individual states. We also offer practical advice about ho...

In the second episode of our conversation with John Slade, we continue to explore the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) designation process. We discuss situations where individual companies are brought into a designation process by agencies, nonattainment permitting requirements for large sources, and timing considerations for large project permitting when a NAAQS change is imminent. We wrap up the conversation by dis...

In this episode, we discuss the process that state agencies follow when evaluating a new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We discuss the steps in the NAAQS designation process that state agencies take and the aspects of the process the facilities should be attentive to. We address the ambient data that state agencies utilize for designations, the concept of exceptional events, the state agency personnel that are ty...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Aditya Shivkumar around data science. We explore several data projects that utilize continuous emissions monitoring data to extract useful information about emissions limits, equipment reliability, and predictive alarms around operations. We then discuss how data science will enter new areas of environmental, health, safety, and sustainability programs and how new technologies re...

In this episode we discuss the broad field of Data Science. We explore the history of Data Science and discuss how it can be used within EHS and sustainability programs. We cover the broad incentives such as regulation, policy changes, and ESG evolution that companies are encountering to further incorporate data into their decision making. We further drill down into the process of using data to gain insights that help to drive c...